Traditions

The Scene

Celebrities

Stars Under the Spires

Throughout the years of the Kentucky Derby, the race has had
a special appeal to the celebrity set. The rich and famous
that mingle among the Derby Day crowd add a unique dimension
to the spectacle of the "Run for the Roses."

One of the first celebrity sightings dates to 1877 when famed
Polish actress Helena Modjeska attended the third running of
the Kentucky Derby. In the 1945 book, Down the Stretch, it
was noted that Modjeska was impressed by the Kentucky Derby
but even more charmed by the mint julep to which she was
introduced by Churchill Downs founder M. Lewis Clark
following the race.

Over the years, a stream of celebrities from film,
television, music, sports, politics, publishing, fashion and
corporate American have been drawn to the Kentucky Derby. On
at least one occasion, a celebrity with a more notorious
background was the talk of the Derby. The 15th renewal in
1889 brought bank and train robber Frank James to Louisville.
The brother of famed outlaw Jesse James and a leader in their
outlaw gang, Frank was on hand to watch Spokane take the
victory over favored Proctor Knott.

In 2007, Churchill Downs initiated a new Kentucky Derby
tradition with a celebrity focus by creating a special Red
Carpet entrance for VIP attendees and their guests. Kentucky
Derby broadcast partner NBC provided televised coverage of
the Derby Red Carpet arrivals, giving fans around the globe a
chance to see the rich and famous make their way into the
world’s most legendary racetrack for a once-in-a-lifetime
entertainment experience.

Royalty

As a direct descendent of England's Epsom Derby,
Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby has played host to British
Royalty on four different occasions. In 1930, Edward George
Villiers Stanley, the 17th Earl of Derby, from whose family
name the term “Derby” was derived, became the first English
nobleman to attend. Prohibition was in effect at the time and
Lord Derby stated his disappointment in not being able to
sample a mint julep. "You have a great many advantages I
should like to copy for England," Derby said, "but
prohibition is not one of them."

The Earl of Derby was followed in 1951 by the Duke of
Windsor, who had renounced the British throne in 1936 so he
could wed the American divorcee Wallace Simpson. The 100th
running of the Kentucky Derby in 1974 brought Her Royal
Highness The Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowden.
Princess Margaret, the sister of the Queen of England, took
part in the trophy presentation and awarded winning owner
John Olin a specially crafted trophy for the milestone
victory.

In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attended the
133rd Kentucky Derby and watched Street Sense win the “Run
for the Roses.” Her Majesty, who wore a lime green wool
coat with a matching silk dress and lime green hat with
fuchsia trim, arrived two hours before the Kentucky Derby and
enjoyed a view of the race and the spectacle surrounding it
from a table in Churchill Downs’ Stakes Room, located within
the fourth-floor clubhouse.

U.S. Presidents

Seven politicians who have gone on to become president of the
United State have watched the classic race and witnessed the
electricity and excitement of the Kentucky Derby. Harry S.
Truman was reported as the first and was followed in 1952 by
Lyndon Johnson who attended while a Texas senator.

Richard M. Nixon is the only president to have attended while
already serving in office. He visited in 1968 as guest of
Kentucky Governor Louie B. Nunn and commented that if he were
elected president he would return to the 1969 Derby. 1969
also attracted two future presidents, Gerald R. Ford and
Ronald Reagan. No other president has witnessed more Kentucky
Derbys than Ford. Beginning in 1977, Ford and his wife Betty
attended almost every Kentucky Derby for 10 years as guests
of longtime friend John Galbreath, a former Churchill Downs
chairman of the board.

In 1983, for the 109th Derby, two past presidents and one
future president were in attendance. Ford was joined by Jimmy
Carter, the democrat who had defeated him in 1976, and Vice
President George Bush, who would win the 1988 election. Other
vice presidents who've attended include Charles Curtis,
1931, and John Nance Garner, 1937.

The Infield

The
Infield on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days compares only to
Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras, pairing the legacy and
history of the Kentucky Derby with that famous all-out party
atmosphere. Every year approximately 80,000 revelers pack the
infield, hoping to catch a glimpse of the next Derby winner
, to re-unite with old friends,
"party maximus" and to have the experience of a
lifetime. (Many Facebook photos to collect
here!)

Traditionally, the infield offers two perspectives and two experiences:
the third turn party, where the young and the young at heart
indulge in all things fun, free wheeling and, sometimes, a
little frisky. If you visit the third turn
and participate in its madcap antics on Derby weekend, take
lots of pictures but think twice about showing them to dear
old Mom and Dad!

On the
opposite end, the grassy first turn offers a more sedate,
family-like picnic setting that’s G-rated and great for all
ages. If you’re
bringing kids to the infield, this is the place to go – just
keep an eye on them.

And no matter where you are there’s a great view of the races on the world’s largest 4K video board.